We are now boarding American Airlines flight 680 with service to Miami International Airport. Seating section 5 please make your way to the podium.
For the past week, I have been waiting to hear those words. I am excited to return to America, to a world that makes infinitely more sense to me; but saying goodbye to the place I have called home for the past two months was bittersweet. I was blessed with an incredible opportunity to serve the Dominican people and have grown so much during my time here. I will never forget my Dominican friends that became my family for two months. As we stood around the kitchen table on Monday morning, holding hands while my host dad Rafael prayed for my journey home, I realized that despite the challenges, this summer has been one of the best summers of my life.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how I will share this experience with others at home and back in Richmond. “Caitlin! How was the DR?” people will ask. “Did you love it?!” How can I even explain an experience like this? I rode a few motorcycles. I squeezed in one too many 1980 Toyota camrys. I loved my host family. I loved the interns. I enjoyed my job. I cried. I laughed. I learned. I’m bringing back with me memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.
One of the lessons I learned that I will always keep with me is that “nada pasa por la casualidad.” Nothing happens by chance. God brought me to the DR for a reason, and in doing so, taught me that with His help, I can accomplish anything I set my heart to. This has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but I don’t regret a single minute of it. I will leave you with a few photos of the final days of my trip. The friends I made are truly some of the most inspiring people I have ever met, and I hope we can stay in touch. Thank you so much for your prayers, love, and support this summer—Dios les bendiga!
Esperanza going away dinner: Me, Helen, Rosa, and Brunilda
Templo Biblico Savica going away dinner, Santiago de los Caballeros, DR
